Motivation can give you the momentum you need to reach a goal, but it doesn't always come when you need it. If you're having a hard time getting started or completing a job, find ways to encourage yourself to move forward. A little pressure can help, so ask a friend, family member, or group of people to help you stick to your commitments. If you're looking to come up with a long-term plan, make sure you have clear and achievable goals to keep you motivated throughout the journey.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Increase the Enthusiasm
Step 1. Don't lose sight of the reasons why you act
Sometimes it takes a little push to carry out a task or project. Speak out loud or write down why you need to do some work, including what benefits you will gain from it.
- For example, you might say: "I'm going to run because I want to improve my fitness"; or: "I have to do this homework in order to get a good grade".
- Don't fall into the trap of procrastination. Make promises to yourself, for example: "If I start doing it now, today I can get out of work earlier"; or: "If I can get this out of the way, then I can do something more fun."
- Create a vision board containing images that represent the main goals in your life. It will help you remember what the important things are.
Step 2. Divide the work into stages
Having long hours ahead of you can be daunting, but splitting your days into smaller chunks will make it easier to achieve your goals. To gain momentum, start with easy tasks that don't take a lot of time. For example, instead of thinking, "I have to work all morning," create a schedule like, "I'll finish this report in an hour, go to the meeting at 11:00, and then it's time for lunch."
Mark tasks and times on an agenda or calendar application. Use different colors to mark various tasks and corresponding time frames. This will break up the day, making it easier to cope with
Step 3. Make work more enjoyable
If you have to do something that scares you or you hate, it can be very difficult to get started. Find a way to make things more fun, perhaps by involving other people or trying a new method. It will be easier for you to complete an activity if you can spice it up and move it a bit.
- For example, if you want to improve your fitness but hate going to the gym, try taking kickboxing, Zumba, or barre classes.
- If you need to study for an exam or test, challenge a friend to see who can answer more questions correctly or solve exercises faster.
Step 4. Give yourself a reward every time you accomplish something
Even if it's just a small achievement, don't hesitate to congratulate yourself! You can take a short break from work, reward yourself with a snack or coffee, go for a massage or celebrate with friends. This way you will keep the enthusiasm and motivation for the next step.
Step 5. Take breaks to avoid burnout
As important as it is to avoid distractions, working too hard can make you less productive. Program of small breaks throughout the day; also take longer rest periods on the weekend to recharge.
- For example, you could give yourself a 5-minute break every hour to go to the bathroom or to work out a bit.
- Schedule breaks to be an incentive to finish work. For example, you might say, "If I can finish these relationships by 2:00 pm, I can take a short break."
- Avoid doing multiple things at the same time and getting distracted by checking your emails and phone. Your productivity would suffer.
Step 6. Tell yourself that you can accomplish anything
When it comes to motivation, you can be your own worst critic. Encourage yourself to do what you need to do with positive affirmations, and remind yourself that you can complete the task if you try hard enough.
If you find yourself having negative thoughts about a job, make an effort to turn them into positive comments. For example, instead of thinking, "I have too much work today, I will never make it!", Say something like, "If I start right away, I will be finished before the deadline."
Method 2 of 3: Staying Responsible
Step 1. Find a "partner" to account for your progress
This person will need to check from time to time how you are doing. Ask a friend, mentor, or colleague if they would be willing to fill this role.
- Plan meetings or calls in advance with the person in question to have a specific deadline by which to reach a certain goal. That way you will be more motivated to finish the job by that date.
- Show your work to the person for feedback. Let her give you sincere and detailed opinions.
- It can also occasionally send you reminders, such as "Remember you have to submit your proposal this week" or "Have you already applied for funding?".
Step 2. Make a to-do list
Keep it in a prominent place, such as your desk or computer monitor. Whenever you complete a task, delete it from the list. This will give you an extra dose of motivation, and when you are done with it, you will feel a great sense of satisfaction that will help you carry out the next project.
- There are several applications that allow you to create to-do lists, such as Apple Reminders, Microsoft To-Do and Google Tasks. You can also set reminders to help you stay on track.
- Make a daily list of tasks to complete within the day. For major projects, create separate lists to set short-term and long-term goals.
Step 3. Join a team that is dedicated to the same activity
You will receive the support, advice and appreciation you need to stay on track and move forward with the project. Search for relevant work-related groups through social networks or even through a library, city hall or recreation center in your city or neighborhood.
- If you need to write, whether it's a novel or a dissertation, find writing groups in your area. Look for them at the university, in the library, in bookstores or on the internet.
- Doing physical activities like running or hiking with other people is a great way to socialize and keep fit at the same time.
- Study groups can help you with school or college subjects, making it easier to understand difficult topics and making studying more fun.
- If you want to learn something new, sign up for a course. Other participants will help you stay motivated as you learn together.
Step 4. Establish a routine
You can adapt it to your needs, but once you have set one, you will have to respect it consistently. Try to do the same activity at the same time every day. Having a routine will help you get to work even when you don't really feel like it.
- For example, if you want to create your own website, you could spend an hour working on the code every afternoon.
- Try to figure out what time of day you work best. For example, if you tend to be more productive in the morning, spend your morning hours on more difficult tasks.
- Routine should be followed regardless of the circumstances. Even if you are in a bad mood, you need to make an effort to follow the schedule you have established.
Step 5. Decide in good time how you will deal with the problems
Be prepared for any obstacles and setbacks, so that you are ready to handle them should they come instead of letting them get in the way of your work.
- You may feel discouraged after receiving negative comments on a project; find an activity that relaxes you, whether it's taking a walk, drawing, or talking to a loved one.
- If your computer is unreliable and you need to write a report, have the number of a computer technician or computer store handy, find someone who is willing to lend you a laptop if needed, and locate places near you. that provide computers, such as a library or an internet point. That way, should your PC actually crash, you would be prepared.
Method 3 of 3: Achieve Long-Term Goals
Step 1. Set yourself a clear and precise end goal
It can be difficult to motivate yourself if you don't know where you want to go. Establish an end goal that is well defined and achievable.
- For example, if you are a student, your goal may be to go to a certain university or do a certain internship.
- If you want to create your own business, decide in which sector to build it. Do you want to sell a product, do consultancy, provide services to the community?
- Be specific in outlining your plans. For example, if you want to travel the world, what will your first destination be? Do you like the idea of backpacking or would you prefer a cruise? Do you intend to go around the world in one go or do you think it is better to break it up in several trips?
- Don't let your ambitions distract you from other important aspects of your life. It must be clear to you how much effort you will have to put into achieving each goal.
Step 2. Break down your project into milestones
Once you know exactly where you want to go, set the stops to reach along the way. Write down all the steps that will lead you to the final goal. This will make the process much more manageable and it will be easier for you to complete each task.
- For example, if your dream is to buy a house, the intermediate steps can be to save money, have a good credit rating, apply for a mortgage and find the right property in the neighborhood of your choice.
- If you want to quit your current job to sell homemade products online, you will need to open an online store, create an inventory and advertise your merchandise.
Step 3. Model someone who has already achieved the goal
If you know someone who has already fulfilled your same ambitions, try to follow their example. Get further motivation from its story to move forward with your project.
- This can be someone you know personally, such as a family member, your boss, a teacher or mentor, or a famous person, such as an entrepreneur or scientist.
- If you know the person in real life, ask them how they got to where they are now; if he's a famous person, look for interviews or biographies that can show you how he achieved success.
Step 4. Keep motivational slogans in plain sight
You could hang a poster on your office wall or stick a post-it note to the bathroom mirror or refrigerator door. Place positive and motivating phrases wherever you need them to reinforce your enthusiasm.
- Keep the sentence in a place connected to your goals. For example, if you want to lose weight, put it near the scale or mirror; if you have an important work project to finish, stick it to your desk or computer.
- Look for phrases in books, websites, and motivational videos. You can buy a poster online or make your own with pen and paper.
Step 5. Visualize your goals and dreams
Every day, for a few minutes, sit back and visualize yourself achieving your goal. Imagine having, doing or being what you want. How does it feel? And how do you feel after finishing the exercise? Channel that energy to your next goal.
- Work on the details to make the image as accurate as possible. Where are you? What are you doing? What do you wear? What do you look like? Who's with you?
- A vision board can help you keep the right direction. Create one by making a collage or illustration of your projects and put it where you can see it every day, for example in the office or on the fridge. It will help you feel more motivated every day.
